# Sign Regulations in Cheshire, Connecticut

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Cheshire, Connecticut, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Cheshire, Connecticut (CT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/connecticut/cheshire
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cheshirect.gov/DocumentCenter/View/344/Zoning-Regulations-PDF#page=108)

## At a glance

Cheshire, Connecticut regulates 49 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Standards in the Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3) zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a 10 feet from street line or property line setback (Sec. 34.9 A). Most commercial signs in Cheshire require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts (R-80, R-40, R-20) | 9 | — | 24 square feet total | — |
| R-20A District | 9 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 24 | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 16 | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Interchange Zone | 17 | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Standard | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding per lot | — | 34.9 A |
| Freestanding Sign - Two Streets Secondary | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding at secondary entrance | — | 34.9 A.1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Tenant Route 10 | 10 feet | 64 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding on multi-tenant lots of 4+ acres fronting Route 10 | — | 34.9 A.2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Tenant Secondary | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding at secondary entrance | — | 34.9 A.2 |
| Directory/Directional Sign - Freestanding | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | 50 feet from traveled portion of road | 1 | Freestanding on properties with 2 or more buildings | — | 34.9 F |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet total; individual listing 6 inches by 36 inches (1.5 sq ft) | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 per intersection | At appropriate intersection of Routes 10, 68, or 70 | — | 34.9 G |
| Temporary Advertising Sign | — | 8.5 square feet if freestanding; 10% of building unit area if wall banner | — | 10 feet from street line or property line if freestanding | 1 per business | Attached or freestanding on lot where activity occurs | — | 34.9 J |
| Agricultural Business Identification Sign | 10 feet | 5% of wall if attached; 32 square feet if freestanding | — | 10 feet from street line or property line if freestanding | 1 attached + 1 freestanding | Attached or freestanding on premises | — | 34.12 A.2; 34.9 I |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - <=3 Acres | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding at main entrance | — | 34.10 A.1 |
| Freestanding Sign - >3 Acres Single Tenant | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding at main entrance | — | 34.10 B.1 |
| Freestanding Sign - >3 Acres Multi-Tenant | 10 feet | 64 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding at main entrance | — | 34.10 B.1 |
| Directory/Directional Sign - Freestanding | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum front yard setback; 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding on lots with 2 or more buildings | — | 34.10 D |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet total; individual 6 inches by 36 inches | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 per intersection | At appropriate intersection of Routes 10, 68, or 70 | — | 34.10 E; 34.9 G |
| Agricultural Business Identification Sign | 10 feet | 5% of wall if attached; 32 square feet if freestanding | — | 10 feet from street line or property line if freestanding | 1 attached + 1 freestanding | Attached or freestanding on premises | — | 34.12 A.2; 34.10 F |
| Agricultural Sign (Temporary) | — | 5% of wall if attached; 8.5 square feet if freestanding | — | 10 feet from street line or property line if freestanding | 1 | Attached or freestanding on premises | — | 34.12 C; 34.10 F |
| Off-Site Directional Sign - Agricultural | — | 8.5 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line if freestanding | Up to 3 per business | Directing to agricultural business | — | 34.12 D; 34.10 F |

### Interchange Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 15 feet | 64 square feet | — | 20 feet from street line | 1 | Freestanding | — | 34.11 A (1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — | 50 feet from street line | 1 | Freestanding | — | 34.11 A (2) |
| Directory/Directional Sign - Freestanding | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum front yard setback | 1 | Freestanding on properties with 2+ buildings | — | 34.11 C |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet total; individual 6x36 inches | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 per intersection | At intersections of Routes 10, 68, 70 | — | 34.11 D; 34.9 G |
| Freestanding Identification Sign - Future Tenants | — | 40 square feet | — | 10 feet from street line or property line | 1 | Freestanding | — | 34.11 E |
| Agricultural Business Identification Sign | — | 5% of wall if attached; 32 square feet if freestanding | — | As per zone freestanding options | 1 attached + 1 freestanding | Attached or freestanding | — | 34.12 A.2 |
| Agricultural Sign (Temporary) | — | 5% wall attached; 8.5 sq ft freestanding | — | As per zone | 1 | Attached or freestanding | — | 34.12 C |
| Off-Site Directional Sign - Agricultural | — | 8.5 square feet | — | As per zone | Up to 3 | Directing to ag business | — | 34.12 D |

## Prohibited signs in Cheshire

- All signs not expressly permitted under these regulations or exempt from regulation hereunder are prohibited.
- Signs painted on any wall surface are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited (except when used in conjunction with grand openings).
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Illuminated tubing or strings of lights which outline roof lines, doors, windows, wall edges or illuminating rows of vehicles when used for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Signs imitating traffic signals or signs, or obscuring traffic signals or signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on trees, rocks or utility poles are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Signs placed on public or private property without prior approval are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs when used as permanent signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to a vehicle or trailer which is used for advertising as opposed to transportation are prohibited (provided that this section shall not prohibit signage on a vehicle or trailer, the primary use of which is transportation).
- All signs must be set back no less than ten (10) feet from the street line or property line.
- No sign shall be located or maintained so as to be a hazard to traffic or pedestrians, to obstruct any door, window, ventilation system, or fire escape exit or to cause any other hazard to public health and safety.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheshire

- Any public notice or warning by a valid applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
- Memorial signs, memorial plaques or tablets or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Flags as described in 34.3 except that no more than one flag that is used as a symbol of a business shall be allowed per lot.
- Signs advertising garage or yard sales provided that no sign shall exceed six (6) square feet in sign area. Such signs may be erected the day before the sale and must be removed at the conclusion of the sale.
- Bulletin boards on the premises of churches, religious institutions and municipal buildings provided no such bulletin board shall exceed 24 feet.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.
- Internal signs: signs contained solely within a building for internal use and not for attracting attention from the outside.
- One Community Bulletin Board controlled by the Town of Cheshire for the purpose of advertising community events which are sponsored by any non-profit organization open to the general public.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Signage Plans will be required for all site plan and special permit applications under Sections 40 and 41 of the Cheshire Zoning Regulations in order to ensure compliance with these regulations.
- The master signage plan shall be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission except that the Planning & Zoning Commission may delegate the right to approve, modify or disapprove such plans to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- In conjunction with any site plan or special permit application, the owner of a multi-tenanted lot may apply to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a coordinated signage plan which conforms to this section.
- A 25% increase in the allowed sign area for freestanding and/or wall signs may be allowed under a Coordinated Signage Plan if the Commission finds that such coordinated signage plan is consistent with the purpose of this section and these regulations and would result in a more comprehensive and attractive arrangement and display of signs than could otherwise be accomplished under the standards of this Section.
- Any modification of an approved Coordinated Signage Plan shall require approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- The Zoning Office shall forward a sign permit application, including applications for Master Signage or Coordinated Signage Plans as specified in Sections 34.14 and 34.15, to the Beautification Committee or a subcommittee thereof for an advisory opinion.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Cheshire — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cheshire+CT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cheshire

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